German World Cup teammates Julian Draxler and Benedikt Howedes were passengers during promotional event

TWO OF Germany’s top motor sport drivers, Pascal Wehrlein and Nico Rosberg, have been in a car accident that left two pedestrians injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday during a film shoot for Mercedes with Germany’s national football team.

German newspaper Bild reported that Rosberg slowed his car to avoid hitting a spectator who had walked into his path, followed by a marshal. Wehrlein, a DTM (German Touring Car) driver, swerved to avoid Rosberg but hit the two pedestrians.

One of the injured was airlifted to hospital shortly before 3pm local time on Tuesday. The area in which the accident happened, on roads around the football team’s hotel, was thought to have been closed to the public during filming.

Nico Rosberg (left) and Pascal Wehrlein (right) with golf professional Martin Kaymer addressing media just before the accident

The two drivers were carrying World Cup teammates Julian Draxler and Benedikt Howedes in their separate vehicles at the time of the incident. All four men escaped injury.

A statement from Mercedes Motorsport read:

“An accident occurred during a visit to the training camp of the German National Football Team: while driving on a closed circuit, DTM driver Pascal Wehrlein injured two people whom he unexpectedly encountered walking on the closed course.

“We cannot offer any statement concerning the severity of injuries, as both injured parties are currently undergoing medical treatment. Pascal Wehrlein was uninjured in the accident.

“We deeply regret this accident and send wishes of quick recovery to the injured. We will work in full co-operation with the authorities in determining the exact circumstances of the accident.”

Nico Rosberg, who won last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton to take the lead in the Formula One championship, took to Twitter to express his shock at the accident.

“My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and I wish them a fast recovery,” he said.

Oliver Bierhoff, manager of the German football team, said: “During a driving event of our partner Mercedes-Benz there was a serious accident. We regret to say that two people were injured and treated on the spot before being taken to hospital. At the moment all our thoughts are with those injured. We do not have more information at this moment.”